Bowling-ball cleaner



as; 111925; I H 526,426

L. LUNSFORD BOWLING BALL CLEANER Fi le d A ril 23 1924 IN VE N TOR [00/6 (maford Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES LOUIS LUNSFORD, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.

BOWLING-BALL CLEANER.

Application filed April 23, 1924. Serial No. 708,423.

T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS LUNSFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muskegon, county of Muskegon, State of lvlichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bowling-Ball Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bowling ball cleaners.

The main object of this invention is to provide a cleaner for bowling balls which may be installed upon the return ways of a bowling alley, each ball being effectively wiped or cleaned on its return passage.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a perspective view of a bowling ball way equipped with my improved cleaner.

Fig. II is a detail transverse section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. I.

Fig. III is a detail longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. II, a ball being illustrated within the cleaner or wiper.

Similar reference numerals indicate similar parts in all of the views.

Referring to the drawing, 1, 1 represents the return ways of a bowling alley and 2 a bowling ball. My improved wiper or cleaning device comprises a tube 3 of elastic fabric, preferably knitted the tube being of such diameter as to closely embrace aball passing through, the diameter of the tube being preferably somewhat less than that of the ball, although quite satisfactory results may be obtained when the diameter of the tube is approximately the same or considerably larger than the ball.

This tube is supported on the way by means of the ring 4 secured within the front end of the tube, the ring being seated in grooves 5 in the rails and supported in upright position by means of the arms 6 having eyes 7 at their rear ends engaging opposite sides of the ring. the arms being secured to the sides of the rails by the screws 8. These arms are offset so that the ball passes between without engaging the same.

The ball traveling down the way passes into the tube through the ring, the tube being otherwise unsupported, and is free to wrap around and engage the surface of the ball as it rolls therethrough.

This provides a very effective wiper or cleaning means, each ball returning along the way being effectively wiped. The wiping tubes can be quickly removed and laundered as occasion may require.

Having thus described my invention what T claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bowling ball cleaner, the combination of a runway comprising a pair of rails. a tube of fabric, a support therefor comprising a ring to which the forward end of the tube is secured, said rails being transversely grooved to receive said ring, and rods engaged with said ring and secured to the sides of said rails.

2. A bowling ball cleaner comprising a way, a tube of elastic fabric. and an annular support for the forward end of said tube mounted on said way so that the balls pass through the tube.

3. In a bowling ball cleaner. the combination of a way. a tube of elastic fabric. and means for supporting said tube with its forward end open. the remainder of the tube being free so that the balls traveling on said way travel through the tube.

4. A cleaner for bowling balls comprising a way, and a wiping tube of fabric operatively associated with said way so that the balls traveling on the way pass through the tube, the tube being free to engage the snrface of the balls.

5. A bowling ball cleaner comprising a way and a piece of fabric of substantial length supported in operative relation to said way so that as the balls travel on the way they engage the fabric, the fabric being supported so that it is free to engage and conform to the surface of the ball.

6. A bowling ball cleaner comprising a tube of elastic fabric, and means for supthe front end of said tube to receive the porting the front end of said tube to receive balls, the remainder of the tube being free the balls, the remainder of the tube being to engage the surface of the ball passing 10 free to engage the surface of the ball passtherethrough. 5 in therethrough. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set A bowling ball cleaner comprising a my hand and seal.

tube of fabric, and means for supporting LOUIS LUNSFORD. [L. s] 

